ᐅ Full-surface irrigation with geotextile fabric for sod installation
Created on: 17 Mar 2024 23:08
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Baufrau95
Hello everyone, we are currently working on the irrigation system for our garden. We live in an area with sandy soil, which is very permeable, and we are planning to install 400 sqm (4,300 sq ft) of turf. We have a 6 cubic meter (6,000 liter) cistern and suspect that this will not be sufficient for irrigation during prolonged drought periods if we go with a “conventional” irrigation system using pop-up sprinklers. We have received a quote for this, and overall the materials are relatively affordable.
However, we were advised at a garden center to consider a fabric-based irrigation system. In this setup, a honeycomb fabric is laid down, and then a drip hose wrapped in fabric, similar to an underfloor heating system, is placed on top.
The problem is that this type of irrigation costs about five times more.
Unfortunately, our budget doesn’t allow for that, but the concept itself is excellent. Therefore, I have thought about trying to replicate it. For this, I found water-retaining fabric.
Does anyone have experience with something like this?
However, we were advised at a garden center to consider a fabric-based irrigation system. In this setup, a honeycomb fabric is laid down, and then a drip hose wrapped in fabric, similar to an underfloor heating system, is placed on top.
The problem is that this type of irrigation costs about five times more.
Unfortunately, our budget doesn’t allow for that, but the concept itself is excellent. Therefore, I have thought about trying to replicate it. For this, I found water-retaining fabric.
Does anyone have experience with something like this?
WilderSueden schrieb:
But the ideal of beauty is something learned as well. Tell me about it. Most people who use the word “beautiful” in gardening aren’t even talking about planting; they usually mean just lawn area or a tree sculpture. But try to change that mindset. It doesn’t work until it’s actually put into practice… Everyone still wants that small toilet in the bathroom that takes away all space for movement and comfort, and the perforated ceiling with recessed spotlights that no one ends up turning on because they’re either too harsh or ineffective, also remains popular.
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WilderSueden20 Mar 2024 08:42I find our T tile quite practical. On tiles, lime stains are much less noticeable than on glass. But our bathroom is not meant to be a wellness spa, just a functional space for showering, brushing teeth, or using the toilet. None of us spend more than 5 minutes at a time in there.
In contrast, a traditional English lawn in full sun doesn’t offer any practical benefits compared to other options. On the contrary: it requires significantly more maintenance, is less ecological, and in summer you don’t really want to spend time there.
In contrast, a traditional English lawn in full sun doesn’t offer any practical benefits compared to other options. On the contrary: it requires significantly more maintenance, is less ecological, and in summer you don’t really want to spend time there.
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Schorsch_baut20 Mar 2024 08:57These are all unnecessary digressions.
The original poster asked about experiences with fleece as a base layer for irrigation because the method recommended by the landscaping professional is too expensive for them, but having a traditional lawn is important.
I would suggest taking some time to carefully reconsider how much emerald-green showcase lawn area is really necessary to be satisfied, then obtain a cost estimate and manage the remaining areas in a more water- and resource-efficient, sustainable way. Parts of the front garden can be planted with ground cover plants, which still provide coverage and look neat.
As someone already mentioned, the cistern is just a drop in the bucket during drought periods. I would rather use that water for other planting instead of the shallow green lawn area.
If money is tight, I would also avoid complicated irrigation systems, as they require a certain amount of maintenance, which will inevitably lead to additional follow-up investments. A golf-course look on 400 m² (4,300 sq ft) combined with a small budget and little time or desire for upkeep just doesn’t work.
The original poster asked about experiences with fleece as a base layer for irrigation because the method recommended by the landscaping professional is too expensive for them, but having a traditional lawn is important.
I would suggest taking some time to carefully reconsider how much emerald-green showcase lawn area is really necessary to be satisfied, then obtain a cost estimate and manage the remaining areas in a more water- and resource-efficient, sustainable way. Parts of the front garden can be planted with ground cover plants, which still provide coverage and look neat.
As someone already mentioned, the cistern is just a drop in the bucket during drought periods. I would rather use that water for other planting instead of the shallow green lawn area.
If money is tight, I would also avoid complicated irrigation systems, as they require a certain amount of maintenance, which will inevitably lead to additional follow-up investments. A golf-course look on 400 m² (4,300 sq ft) combined with a small budget and little time or desire for upkeep just doesn’t work.
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Pinkiponk20 Mar 2024 18:56Baufrau95 schrieb:
Therefore, I have been thinking about replicating this. I found water retention fleece for that purpose.
Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Short and direct answer: No, we don’t have any experience with water retention fleece.
You didn’t ask for this, but: After reading the entire thread, I’d like to ask whether you have considered drilling a well. (My husband and I did that, and the well is only painful once—when paying the bill. Otherwise, it’s very convenient.) I’m asking because you mentioned costs being five times higher, and I have no idea what scale of expenses you’re talking about.
I assume your sandy soil is properly mixed or treated so that the water doesn’t drain away too quickly, right?
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Pinkiponk20 Mar 2024 19:04ypg schrieb:
... and the perforated ceiling with the spotlights that you later don’t turn on because they are either too harsh or don’t provide any useful light, same thing. Off topic: Guilty as charged. We have about 100 of them in the house, and luckily it didn’t cost us too much because my husband trained as an electrician before his studies and was able to install everything himself. We also have too many power outlets in the house; specifically, too many in some places and too few where they’re actually needed. ;-) We chalk it up to first-time homebuilder fate. (I would really like to build again and envy Katja a bit.) You did everything right. If I remember correctly, first a townhouse to gain experience, then a detached house.
I would never lay a 400sqm (4300 sq ft) plastic mat in my garden. You would be stuck with it forever if you want to make any changes. I also like a green and fairly neat lawn, but in the peak of summer, you have to accept otherwise. It will just stay yellow for about a month. As soon as it rains again, it will recover nicely. For an average person with normal effort, budget, and environmental awareness, you simply cannot compensate for this by watering.
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